Controller and control method of belt type continuously variable transmission

ABSTRACT

Provided is control device and method for a belt type continuously variable transmission which can reduce drive energy consumption by a decrease in belt friction when the estimated accuracy of belt slip condition is high and which can prevent the belt from greatly slipping during belt slip control when the estimated accuracy of belt slip condition is low. The device includes a primary pulley ( 42 ), a secondary pulley ( 43 ), and a belt ( 44 ) and controls gear ratio based on the running radius of the belt ( 44 ) on the pulley by controlling the primary oil pressure and the secondary oil pressure. A belt type continuously variable transmission ( 4 ) comprises a belt slip control means (step S 3 ) for performing such control as to oscillate the secondary oil pressure, estimate the belt slip condition by monitoring the phase difference between an oscillation component included in the actual secondary oil pressure and an oscillation component included in the actual gear ratio, and then reduce the actual secondary oil pressure to maintain a predetermined belt slip condition, and a belt slip control permission determining means (step S 2 ) for permitting belt slip control when a transmission rate as a change rate of gear ratio is less than a predetermined value.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a device and a method for controlling a belt type continuously variable transmission to perform a belt slip control in which a belt wrapped around pulleys is slipped at a predetermined slip rate.

BACKGROUND ART

A known belt type continuously variable transmission controller is configured to perform a belt slip control in which an actual secondary hydraulic pressure is reduced from one during a normal control to slip a belt wrapped around pulleys at a predetermined slip rate by the following steps:

(a) superimposing a predetermined sine wave on a command secondary hydraulic pressure or oscillating the command secondary hydraulic pressure, and

(b) performing the belt slip control by controlling the actual secondary hydraulic pressure on the basis of a multiplier of an oscillation component included in the actual secondary hydraulic pressure and an oscillation component included in an actual gear ratio. This eliminates the necessity for directly detecting the belt slip rate and thereby facilitates the belt slip control (see Patent Document 1, for example).

PRIOR ART DOCUMENT Patent Document

-   Patent Document 1: WO 2009/007450 A2 (PCT/EP2008/059092)

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Problems to be Solved by the Invention

However, there is a problem with such a conventional belt type continuously variable transmission controller in that at a high transmission speed, it cannot discriminate (distinguish) between a command gear ratio component and an oscillation component for detecting a slip rate from a variation characteristic of the actual gear ratio so that it is inappropriate to perform the belt slip control based on the multiplier of an oscillation component included in the actual secondary hydraulic pressure and that included in an actual gear ratio. Accordingly, a large belt slip may occur depending on the magnitude of a torque input to the belt type continuously variable transmission.

In view of solving the above problem, the present invention aims to provide control device and method for a belt type continuously variable transmission which can reduce driving energy consumption due to a decrease in belt friction when the estimated accuracy of a belt slip condition is high as well as can prevent the belt from greatly slipping during the belt slip control when the estimated accuracy of a belt slip condition is low.

Means to Solve the Problem

To attain the above object, a control device for a belt type continuously variable transmission according to the present invention includes a primary pulley for receiving an input from a drive source, a secondary pulley for providing an output to a drive wheel, and a belt wrapped around the primary pulley and the secondary pulley, to control a gear ratio determined by a running radius ratio of the belt on the pulleys by controlling a primary hydraulic pressure to the primary pulley and a secondary hydraulic pressure to the secondary pulley. The device further comprises a belt slip control means configured to oscillate the secondary hydraulic pressure and monitor a phase difference between an oscillation component included in an actual secondary hydraulic pressure and an oscillation component included in an actual gear ratio to estimate a belt slip condition, and control the actual secondary hydraulic pressure to decrease on the basis of the estimation in order to maintain a predetermined belt slip condition, and a belt slip control permission determining means configured to permit the belt slip control means to perform a belt slip control when a change speed of the gear ratio is less than a predetermined value.

Effects of the Invention

Thus, according to the control device for the belt type continuously variable transmission, the belt slip control permission determining means permits the belt slip control means to perform a belt slip control when the change speed of the gear ratio is less than a predetermined value. That is, under the belt slip control, since the belt slip condition is estimated using the oscillation component included in the actual gear ratio by the oscillation, the change speed of the gear ratio affects the extraction of the oscillation component. When the change speed of the gear ratio is less than the predetermined value, a variation in the gear ratio due to the transmission and the oscillation component due to the oscillation can be separated. Meanwhile, when the change speed of the gear ratio exceeds the predetermined value, the oscillation component included in the actual gear ratio disappears so that the gear ratio variation due to the transmission and the oscillation component due to the oscillation cannot be separated. To the contrary, when the change speed of the gear ratio with a high estimated accuracy of the belt slip condition is lower than the predetermined value, the belt slip control is permitted, reducing belt friction owing to a reduction in the pulley hydraulic pressure and reducing a drive load on the transmission mechanism. Meanwhile, when the change speed of the gear ratio with a high estimated accuracy of the belt slip condition exceeds the predetermined value, the belt slip control is not permitted, preventing the belt from greatly slipping as in the case where the belt slip control is permitted irrespective of the change speed of the gear ratio. This makes it possible to reduce driving energy consumption due to a decrease in belt friction when the estimated accuracy of a belt slip condition is high as well as can prevent the belt from greatly slipping during the belt slip control when the estimated accuracy of a belt slip condition is low.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows the entire system of a drive system and a control system of a vehicle incorporating a belt type continuously variable transmission applied with a control device and method according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the belt type continuously variable transmission mechanism applied with the control device and method according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a part of a belt of the belt type continuously variable transmission mechanism applied with the control device and method according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a control block diagram of the line pressure control and secondary hydraulic pressure control (normal control/belt slip control) executed by a CVT control unit 8 according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a basic flowchart for a switching process between the normal control and the belt slip control (=BSC) over the secondary hydraulic pressure executed by the CVT control unit 8 according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart for the entire belt slip control process executed by the CVT control unit 8 according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart for the torque limit process of the belt slip control process executed by the CVT control unit 8 according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart for the secondary hydraulic pressure oscillation and correction process of the belt slip control process executed by the CVT control unit 8 according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart for a returning process from the belt slip control to the normal control executed by the CVT control unit 8 according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart for the torque limit process of the returning process to the normal control executed by the CVT control unit 8 according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart for the transmission restricting process of the returning process to the normal control executed by the CVT control unit 8 according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a timing chart of an actual gear ratio characteristic and a target gear ratio characteristic when transmission is changed at a small transmission change rate during the belt slip control.

FIG. 13 is a timing chart of an actual gear ratio characteristic and a target gear ratio characteristic when transmission is changed at a large transmission change rate during the belt slip control.

FIG. 14 shows how to decide a predetermined value as an upper limit threshold for the gear ratio change rate, and Graph A shows the frequency characteristics of a command gear ratio component and of an oscillation component, and Graph B shows a transmission condition when the transmission range and transmission time constant are changed.

FIG. 15 is a timing chart of the respective characteristics of BSC operation flag, SEC pressure F/B inhibition flag, accelerator opening, vehicle speed, engine torque, Ratio, SEC hydraulic pressure. SEC_SOL, current correction amount, and phase difference between SEC pressure oscillation and Ratio oscillation in a traveling scene during a control shift from the normal control, belt slip control, returning control to the normal control.

FIG. 16 is a timing chart of the torque limit control for illustrating the returning control from the belt slip control to the normal control.

EMBODIMENTS OF DESCRIPTION

Hereinafter, the best mode to carry out the control device and method for a belt type continuously variable transmission will be described using a first embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawings.

First Embodiment

First, the structure of the device is described. FIG. 1 shows the entire system of a drive system and a control system of a vehicle incorporating a belt type continuously variable transmission applied with a control device and method according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the belt type continuously variable transmission mechanism applied with the control device and method according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a part of a belt of a belt type continuously variable transmission mechanism applied with the control device and method according to the first embodiment. In the following the system structures are described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3.

In FIG. 1 the drive system of a vehicle incorporating a belt type continuously variable transmission comprises an engine 1, a torque converter 2, a forward/backward drive switch mechanism 3, a belt type continuously variable transmission mechanism 4, a final reduction mechanism 5 and drive wheels 6, 6.

The output torque of the engine 1 is controllable by an engine control signal supplied from the exterior in addition to by a driver's acceleration operation. The engine 1 includes an output torque control actuator 10 to control the output torque by a throttle valve opening/closing operation, a fuel cut operation and else.

The torque converter 2 is a startup element with a torque increasing function and includes a lockup clutch 20 to be able to directly connect an engine output shaft 11 (=torque converter input shaft) and a torque converter output shaft 21. The torque converter 2 is comprised of a turbine runner 23 connected with the engine output shaft 11 via a converter housing 22, an impeller pump 24 connected with the torque converter output shaft 21, and a stator 26 provided via a one-way clutch 25.

The forward/backward drive switch mechanism 3 is to switch a rotary direction input to the belt type continuously variable transmission mechanism 4 between a normal rotary direction during forward traveling and a reverse rotary direction during backward traveling. The forward/backward switch mechanism 3 includes a double pinion planetary gear 30, a forward clutch 31, and a backward brake 32. A sun gear of the double pinion planetary gear 30 is connected with the torque converter output shaft 21 and a carrier thereof is connected with a transmission input shaft 40. The forward clutch 31 is fastened during a backward traveling to fix a ring gear of the double pinion planetary gear 30 to the case.

The belt type continuously variable transmission mechanism 4 has a continuously variable transmission function to steplessly vary the gear ratio by changing a belt contact radius. The gear ratio is a ratio of the input rotation rate of the transmission input shall 40 and the output rotation rate of the transmission output shaft 41. The belt type continuously variable transmission mechanism 4 includes a primary pulley 42, a secondary pulley 43, and a belt 44. The primary pulley 42 is made up of a fixed pulley 42 a and a slide pulley 42 b. The slide pulley 42 b is slid by primary hydraulic pressure introduced into a primary hydraulic pressure chamber 45. The secondary pulley 43 is made up of a fixed pulley 43 a and a slide pulley 43 b. The slide pulley 43 h is slid by primary hydraulic pressure introduced into a secondary hydraulic pressure chamber 46. The belt 44 as shown in FIG. 2 is wrapped around V-form sheave faces 42 c, 42 d of the primary pulley 42 and V-form sheave faces 43 c, 43 d of the secondary pulley 43. In FIG. 3 the belt 44 is formed of two laminated rings 44 a, 44 a of which a large number of rings are layered from inside to outside as well as a large number of elements 44 h of press-cut plates placed between the two laminated rings 44 a, 44 a and connected with each other in a ring-form. The elements 44 b each includes, at both sides, flank faces 44 c, 44 c to contact with the sheave faces 42 c, 42 d of the primary pulley 42 and the sheave faces 43 c, 43 d of the secondary pulley 43.

The final reduction mechanism 5 decelerates the transmission output rotation from the transmission output shaft 41 of the belt type continuously variable transmission mechanism 4 and provides a differential function thereto to transmit it to the right and left drive wheels 6, 6. The final reduction mechanism 5 is interposed among the transmission output shaft 41, an idler shaft 50, right and left drive shafts 51, 51, and includes a first gear 52, a second gear 53, a third gear 54, and a fourth gear 55 with a deceleration function and a gear differential gear 56 with a differential function.

The control system of the belt type continuously variable transmission comprises a transmission hydraulic pressure control unit 7 and a CVT control unit 8, as shown in FIG. 1.

The transmission hydraulic pressure control unit 7 is a hydraulic pressure control unit to produce primary hydraulic, pressure introduced into the primary hydraulic pressure chamber 45 and secondary hydraulic pressure introduced into the secondary hydraulic pressure chamber 46. The transmission hydraulic pressure control unit 7 comprises an oil pump 70, a regulator valve 71, a line pressure solenoid 72, a transmission control valve 73, a decompression valve 74, a secondary hydraulic pressure solenoid 75, a servo link 76, a transmission command valve 77, and a step motor 78.

The regulator valve 71 uses discharged pressure from the oil pump 70 as a pressure source to adjust line pressure PL. The regulator valve 71 includes the line pressure solenoid 72 to adjust the pressure of oil from the oil pump 70 to a predetermined line pressure PL in response to a command from the CVT control unit 8.

The transmission control valve 73 uses the line pressure PL produced by the regulator valve 71 as a pressure source to adjust the primary hydraulic pressure introduced into the primary hydraulic pressure chamber 45. A spool 73 a of the transmission control valve 73 is connected with the servo link 76 constituting a mechanical feedback mechanism and the transmission command valve 77 connected with one end of the servo link 76 is driven by the step motor 78 so that the transmission control valve receives feedback of a slide position (actual pulley ratio) from the slide pulley 42 b of the primary pulley 42 connected with the other end of the servo link 76. That is, during transmission, when the step motor 78 is driven in response to a command from the CVT control unit 8, the spool 73 a of the transmission control valve 73 is changed in position to supply/discharge the line pressure PL, to/from the primary hydraulic pressure chamber 45 to adjust the primary hydraulic pressure to acquire a target gear ratio commanded at the drive position of the step motor 78. Upon completion of the transmission, the spool 73 a is held at a closed position in response to a displacement of the servo link 76.

The decompression valve 74 uses the line pressure PL produced by the regulator valve 71 as a pressure source to adjust the secondary hydraulic pressure introduced into the secondary hydraulic pressure chamber 46 by decompression. The decompression valve 74 comprises the secondary hydraulic pressure solenoid 75 to decompress the line pressure PL to a command secondary hydraulic pressure in accordance with a command from the CVT control unit 8.

The CVT control unit 8 is configured to perform various control such as a gear ratio control to output to the step motor 78 a control command to acquire a target gear ratio in accordance with vehicle speed, throttle opening level and else, a line pressure control to output to the line pressure solenoid 72 a control command to acquire a target line pressure in accordance with the throttle opening level or else, a secondary hydraulic pressure control to output to the secondary hydraulic pressure solenoid 75 a control command to acquire a target secondary pulley thrust in accordance with transmission input torque or else, a forward and backward switch control to control the fastening and release of the forward clutch 31 and backward brake 32, and a lockup control to control fastening and release of the lockup clutch 20. The CVT control unit 8 receives various sensor information and switch information from a primary rotation sensor 80, a secondary rotation sensor 81, a secondary hydraulic pressure sensor 82, an oil temperature sensor 83, an inhibitor switch 84, a brake switch 85, an accelerator opening sensor 86, and other sensors and switches 87. Further, it receives torque information from an engine control unit 88 and outputs a torque request to the engine control unit 88.

FIG. 4 is a control block diagram of the line pressure control and secondary hydraulic pressure control (normal control/belt slip control) executed by the CVT control unit 8 according to the first embodiment.

The hydraulic pressure control system of the CVT control unit 8 in the first embodiment comprises a basic hydraulic pressure calculator 90, a line pressure controller 91, a secondary hydraulic pressure controller 92, a sine wave oscillation controller 93, and a secondary hydraulic pressure corrector 94, as shown in FIG. 4.

The basic hydraulic pressure calculator 90 includes an input torque calculator 90 a to calculate transmission input torque on the basis of the torque information (engine rotary rate, fuel injection time and the like) from the engine control unit 88 (FIG. 1), a basic secondary thrust calculator 90 b to calculate a basic secondary thrust (belt clamp force necessary for the secondary pulley 43) from the transmission input torque obtained by the input torque calculator 90 a, a transmission required thrust difference calculator 90 c to calculate a thrust difference required for transmission (a difference in belt clamp force between the primary and secondary pulleys 42, 43), a corrector 90 d to correct the calculated basic secondary thrust on the basis of the required thrust difference for transmission, and a secondary hydraulic pressure converter 90 e to covert the corrected secondary thrust to a target secondary hydraulic pressure. It further includes a basic primary thrust calculator 90 f to calculate a basic primary thrust (belt clamp force required for the primary pulley 42) from the transmission input torque calculated by the input torque calculator 90 a, a corrector 90 g to correct the calculated basic primary thrust on the basis of the required thrust difference for transmission calculated by the transmission required thrust difference calculator 90 c, and a primary hydraulic pressure converter 90 h to convert the corrected primary thrust to a target primary hydraulic pressure.

The line pressure controller 91 includes a target line pressure determiner 91 a to compare the target primary hydraulic pressure output from the primary hydraulic pressure converter 90 h with the command secondary hydraulic pressure output from the secondary hydraulic pressure controller 92, and set the target line pressure to the target primary hydraulic pressure when the target primary hydraulic pressure≧the command secondary hydraulic pressure and set the target line pressure to the secondary hydraulic pressure when the target primary hydraulic pressure≦the command secondary hydraulic pressure, and a hydraulic pressure-current converter 91 b to convert the target line pressure determined by the target line pressure determiner 91 a to a current value applied to the solenoid and output a command current value converted to the line pressure solenoid 72 of the regulator valve 71.

In the normal control the secondary hydraulic pressure controller 92 performs the feedback control using the actual secondary hydraulic pressure detected by the secondary hydraulic pressure sensor 82 to acquire a command secondary hydraulic pressure while in the belt slip control it performs open control without using the actual secondary hydraulic pressure to acquire the command secondary hydraulic pressure. It includes a low pass filter 92 a through which the target secondary hydraulic pressure from the secondary hydraulic pressure converter 90 e is filtered, a deviation calculator 92 b to calculate a deviation between the actual secondary hydraulic pressure and the target secondary hydraulic pressure, a zero deviation setter 92 c to set the deviation to zero, a deviation switch 92 d to selectively switch between the calculated deviation and zero deviation, and an integrated gain determiner 92 e to determine an integrated gain from oil temperature. Further, it includes a multiplier 92 f to multiply the integrated gain from the integrated gain determiner 92 e and the deviation from the deviation switch 92 d, an integrator 92 g to integrate an FB integration control amount from the multiplier 92 f, an adder 92 h to add the integrated FB integration control amount to the target secondary hydraulic pressure from the secondary hydraulic pressure converter 90 e, and a limiter 92 i to set upper and lower limits to the added value to obtain the command secondary hydraulic pressure (referred to basic secondary hydraulic pressure in the belt slip control). Further, it includes an oscillation adder 92 j to add a sine wave oscillation command to the basic secondary hydraulic pressure in the belt slip control, a hydraulic pressure corrector 92 k to correct the oscillated basic secondary hydraulic pressure by a secondary hydraulic pressure correction amount to the command secondary hydraulic pressure, and a hydraulic pressure-current converter 92 m to convert the command secondary hydraulic pressure into a current value applied to the solenoid to output a command current value converted to the secondary hydraulic pressure solenoid 75. Note that the deviation switch 92 d is configured to select the calculated deviation when a BSC operation flag is 0 (during the normal control) and select the zero deviation when the BSC operation flag is 1 (during the belt slip control).

The sine wave oscillation controller 93 includes a sine wave oscillator 93 a to decide an oscillation frequency and an oscillation amplitude suitable for the belt slip control and apply sine wave hydraulic pressure oscillation in accordance with the decided frequency and amplitude, a zero oscillation setter 93 b to apply no sine wave hydraulic pressure oscillation, and an oscillation switch 93 c to selectively switch between the hydraulic pressure oscillation and zero oscillation. Note that the oscillation switch 93 c is configured to select the zero oscillation when the BSC operation flag is 0 (during the normal control) and select the sine wave hydraulic pressure oscillation when the BSC operation flag is 1 (during the belt slip control).

The secondary hydraulic pressure corrector 94 includes an actual gear ratio calculator 94 a to calculate an actual gear ratio Ratio from a ratio of the primary rotary rate Npri of the primary rotation sensor 80 and the secondary rotary rate Nsec of the secondary rotation sensor 81, a first bandpass filter 94 b to extract an oscillation component from a signal representing the actual secondary hydraulic pressure Psec obtained with the secondary hydraulic pressure sensor 82, and a second bandpass filter 94 c to extract an oscillation component from the calculated data by the actual gear ratio calculator 94 a. It further includes a multiplier 94 d to multiply the oscillation components extracted by both bandpass filters 94 b, 94 c, a low pass filter 94 e to extract phase difference information from the multiplication result, a secondary hydraulic pressure correction amount determiner 94 f to determine a secondary hydraulic pressure correction amount on the basis of the phase difference information from the low pass filter 94 e, a zero correction amount setter 94 g to set the secondary hydraulic pressure correction amount to zero, and a correction amount switch 94 h to selectively switch between the secondary hydraulic pressure correction amount and the zero correction amount. Note that the correction amount switch 94 h is configured to select the zero correction amount when the BSC operation flag is 0 (during the normal control) and select the secondary hydraulic pressure correction amount when the BSC operation flag is 1 (during the belt slip control).

FIG. 5 is a basic flowchart for a switching process between the normal control and the belt slip control (=BSC) over the secondary hydraulic pressure executed by the CVT control unit 8 according to the first embodiment. In the following the respective steps in FIG. 5 are described.

In step S1 following a startup by turning-on of the key, the determination on non-BSC permission in step S2 or normal control returning process in step S5, the belt type continuously variable transmission mechanism 4 is normally controlled, and then the flow proceeds to step S2. During the normal control, the BSC operation flag is set to zero.

In step S2 following the normal control in step S1, a determination is made on whether or not all of the following BSC permission conditions are satisfied. At the result being YES (all the BSC permission conditions satisfied), the flow proceeding to step S3, the belt slip control (BSC) is performed. At the result being NO (any of the BSC permission conditions unsatisfied), the flow returning to step S1, the normal control is continued. An example of the BSC permission conditions is as follows:

(1) The transmitted torque capacity of the belt type continuously variable transmission mechanism 4 is stable (a change rate of the transmitted torque capacity is small). This condition (1) is determined by satisfaction of the following two conditions, for example. a. |command torque change rate|<predetermined value h. |command gear ratio change rate|<predetermined value (2) The estimated accuracy of the input torque to the primary pulley 42 is within a reliable range. This condition (2) is for example determined on the basis of the torque information (estimated engine torque) from the engine control unit 88, the lockup state of the torque converter 2, the operation state of a brake pedal, a range position and the like. (3) The permitted conditions in the above (1) (2) are continued for a predetermined length of time. In step S2 whether or not the above conditions (1), (2), (3) are all satisfied is determined.

In step S3 following the BSC permission determination in step S2 or the BSC continuation determination in step S4, the belt slip control (FIG. 6 to FIG. 8) is performed to reduce an input to the belt 44 of the belt type continuously variable transmission mechanism 4 and maintain the belt 44 in an appropriate slip state without slippage. Then, the flow proceeds to step S4. During the belt slip control the operation flag is set to 1.

In step S4 following the belt slip control in step S3, a determination is made on whether or not all of the following BSC continuation conditions are satisfied. At the result being YES (all the BSC continuation conditions satisfied), the flow returning to step S3, the belt slip control (BSC) is continued. At the result being NO (any of the BSC continuation conditions unsatisfied), the flow proceeds to step S5, and the normal control returning process is performed.

An example of the BSC continuation conditions is as follows: (1) The transmitted torque capacity of the belt type continuously variable transmission mechanism 4 is stable (a change rate of the transmitted torque capacity is small).

This condition (1) is determined by satisfaction of the following two conditions, for example.

a. |command torque change rate|<predetermined value b. |command gear ratio change rate|<predetermined vale (2) The estimated accuracy of the input torque to the primary pulley 42 is within a reliable

This condition (2) is for example determined on the basis of the torque information (estimated engine torque) from the engine control unit 88, the lockup state of the torque converter 2, the operation state of a brake pedal, a range position and the like. Whether or not the above conditions (1), (2) are both satisfied is determined. That is, a difference between the BSC permission conditions and the BSC continuation conditions is in that the BSC continuation conditions exclude the continuation condition (3) of the BSC permission conditions.

In step S5 following a determination that any of the BSC continuation conditions is unsatisfied, the normal control returning process (FIG. 9 to FIG. 11) is performed to prevent the belt 4 from slipping when the belt slip control is returned to the normal control. Upon completion of the process, the flow returns to step S1 and shills to the normal control.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart for the entire belt slip control process executed by the CVT control unit 8 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 7 is a flowchart for the torque limit process of the belt slip control process executed by the CVT control unit 8 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 8 is a flowchart for the secondary hydraulic pressure oscillation and correction process of the belt slip control process executed by the CVT control unit 8 according to the first embodiment.

First, as apparent from FIG. 6, during the belt slip control in which the BSC permission determination and the BSC continuation determination are continued, a feedback control inhibition process (step S31) in which the command secondary hydraulic pressure is obtained using the actual secondary hydraulic pressure, a torque limit process (step S32) as a preparation for returning to the normal control, and a secondary hydraulic pressure oscillation and correction process (step S33) for the belt slip control are concurrently performed.

In step S31 during the belt slip control in which the BSC permission determination and the BSC continuation determination are continued, the feedback control under which the command secondary hydraulic pressure is obtained using the actual secondary hydraulic pressure detected by the secondary hydraulic pressure sensor 82 is inhibited. That is, for obtaining the command secondary hydraulic pressure, the feedback control during the normal control is inhibited and switched to the open control of the belt slip control using the zero deviation. Then, when the belt slip control is shifted to the normal control, the feedback control returns again.

In step S32 during the belt slip control in which the BSC permission determination and the BSC continuation determination are continued, the torque limit process in FIG. 7 is performed. In step S321 of the flowchart in FIG. 7 a “torque limit request from the belt slip control” is defined to be the driver request torque.

In step S33 during the belt slip control in which the BSC permission determination and the BSC continuation determination are continued, the secondary hydraulic pressure is oscillated and corrected in FIG. 8. In the following the steps of the flowchart in FIG. 8 are described.

In step S331 the command secondary hydraulic pressure is oscillated. That is, the sine wave hydraulic pressure with predetermined amplitude and predetermined frequency is superimposed on the command secondary hydraulic pressure. The flow proceeds to step S332.

In step S332 following the oscillation of the command secondary hydraulic pressure in step S331, the actual secondary hydraulic pressure is detected with the secondary hydraulic pressure sensor 82 to detect the actual gear ratio by calculation based on information on the rotary rates from the primary rotation sensor 80 and the secondary rotation sensor 81. The flow proceeds to step S333.

In step S333 following the detection of the actual secondary hydraulic pressure and the actual gear ratio in step S332, the actual secondary hydraulic pressure and the gear ratio are each subjected to the bandpass filter process to extract their respective oscillation components (sine wave) and multiply them. Then, the multiplied value is subjected to the low pass filter process and converted to a value expressed by amplitude and a phase difference θ (cosine wave) between the oscillation of the actual secondary hydraulic pressure and that of the actual gear ratio. The flow proceeds to step S334. Herein, where A is the amplitude of the actual secondary hydraulic pressure and B is the amplitude of the actual gear ratio, the oscillation of the actual secondary hydraulic pressure is expressed by the formula (1): A sin ωt. The oscillation of the actual gear ratio is expressed by the formula (2): B sin (ω+θ). The formulas (1) and (2) are multiplied, and using the following product sum formula (3):

sin α sin β=−½{ cos(α+β)−cos(α−β)}

the following formula (4):

A sin ωt×B sin(ωt+θ)=(½)AB cos θ−(½)AB cos(2ωt+θ)

is obtained. In the formula (4), (½)AB cos(2ωt+0) as the double component of the oscillation frequency is reduced through the low pass filter so that the formula (4) becomes the following formula (5):

A sin ωt×B sin(ωt+θ)≈(½)Ab cos θ

Thus, it can be expressed by the formula of the phase difference θ in the oscillation between the actual secondary hydraulic pressure and the actual gear ratio.

In step S334 following the calculation of the phase difference θ in the oscillation between the actual secondary hydraulic pressure and the actual gear ratio, a determination is made on whether or not the phase difference θ is such that 0≦phase difference θ<predetermined value at 1 (micro slip range). At the result being YES (0≦phase difference θ<predetermined value at 1), the flow proceeds to step S335 while at the result being NO (predetermined value at 1≦phase difference θ), the flow proceeds to step S336.

In step S335 following the determination on 0≦phase difference θ<predetermined value at 1 (micro slip range) in step S334, the secondary hydraulic pressure correction amount is set to −Δpsec. The flow proceeds to step S339.

In step S336 following the determination on predetermined value at 1≦phase difference θ in step S334, a determination is made on whether or not the phase difference θ is such that predetermined value at 1≦phase difference θ<predetermined value at 2 (target slip range). At the result being YES (predetermined value at 1≦phase difference θ<predetermined value at 2), the flow proceeds to step S337 while at the result being NO (predetermined value at 2≦phase difference θ), the flow proceeds to step S338.

In step S337 following the determination on predetermined value at 1≦phase difference θ<predetermined value at 2 (target slip range) in step S336, the secondary hydraulic pressure correction amount is set to zero and the flow proceeds to step S339.

In step S338 following the determination on predetermined value at 2≦phase difference θ (micro/macro slip transition range) in step S336, the secondary hydraulic pressure correction amount is set to +ΔPsec and the flow proceeds to step S339.

In step S339 following the setting of the secondary hydraulic pressure correction amounts in steps S335, S337, S338, the command secondary hydraulic pressure is set to the value of the basic secondary hydraulic pressure+secondary hydraulic pressure correction amount. Then, the flow ends.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart for a returning process from the belt slip control to the normal control executed by the CVT control unit 8 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 10 is a flowchart for the torque limit process of the returning process to the normal control executed by the CVT control unit 8 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 11 is a flowchart for the transmission restricting process of the returning process to the normal control executed by the CVT control unit 8 according to the first embodiment.

First, as apparent from FIG. 9, while the normal control is returned from the belt slip control from the BSC continuation termination to the start of the normal control, a feedback control returning process (step S51) in which the command secondary hydraulic pressure is obtained using the actual secondary hydraulic pressure, a torque limit process (step S52) as a preparation for returning to the normal control, an oscillation and correction secondary hydraulic pressure resetting process (step S53) for the belt slip control, and a transmission restricting process (step S54) in which the transmission speed as the change speed of the gear ratio is restricted are concurrently performed.

In step S51, while the normal control is returned from the belt slip control from the BSC continuation termination to the start of the normal control, the feedback control in which the command secondary hydraulic pressure is obtained using the actual secondary hydraulic pressure detected by the secondary hydraulic pressure sensor 82 is returned.

In step S52 while the normal control is returned from the belt slip control from the BSC continuation termination to the start of the normal control, the torque limit process as a preparation for returning to the normal control in FIG. 10 is performed.

In step S53 while the normal control is returned from the belt slip control from the BSC continuation termination to the start of the normal control, the secondary hydraulic pressure oscillation and correction in FIG. 8 is reset to wait for the normal control.

In step S54 while the normal control is returned from the belt slip control from the BSC continuation termination to the start of the normal control, the transmission restricting process in which the transmission speed is restricted in FIG. 11 is performed.

In the following the steps of the flowchart showing the torque limit process in FIG. 10 are described. The key point of this torque limit process is to switch the controls on the basis of a magnitude relation among the three values of driver request torque, torque limit request from the BSC, and torque capacity (calculated torque capacity). Herein, the driver request torque refers to an engine torque requested by a driver, torque limit request from the BSC refers to torque limit amount shown in the phases (2), (3) in FIG. 16. Torque capacity is generally an allowable designed torque capacity and set to a value higher than the driver request torque by a margin with mechanical variation of the belt type continuously variable transmission mechanism 4 taken into consideration, for the purpose of preventing the belt slip. Herein, the actual torque capacity is controlled under the secondary hydraulic pressure control. Further, the calculated torque capacity refers to a torque capacity during the returning process (phase (3) in FIG. 16) of the BSC (phase (2) in FIG. 16). The calculated torque capacity is specifically a value based on or calculated from the actual secondary hydraulic pressure and the actual gear ratio (torque capacity of one of the two pulleys 42, 43 to which engine torque is input, that is, the primary pulley 42).

In step S521 a determination is made on whether or not the driver request torque is larger than the torque limit request from the BSC. At the result being YES, the flow proceeds to step S522 while at the result being NO, the flow proceeds to step S525.

In step S522 following the determination on the driver request torque is larger than the torque limit request from the BSC in step S521, a determination is made on whether or not the calculated torque capacity is larger than the torque limit request from the BSC. At the result being YES, the flow proceeds to step S523 while at the result being NO, the flow proceeds to step S524.

In step S523 following the determination on the calculated torque capacity>the torque limit request from the BSC in step S522, the torque limit request from the BSC is set to a smaller one of the torque limit request from the BSC (previous value)+ΔT and the calculated allowable torque capacity. The flow proceeds to RETURN.

In step S524 following the determination on the calculated torque capacity≦the torque limit request from the BSC in step S522, the torque limit request from the BSC is set to a smaller one of the torque limit request from the BSC (previous value) and the driver request torque. The flow proceeds to RETURN.

In step S525 following the determination on the driver request torque≦the torque limit request from the BSC in step S521, a determination is made on whether or not the calculated torque capacity is larger than the torque limit request from the BSC. At the result being YES, the flow proceeds to step S527 while at the result being NO, the flow proceeds to step S526.

In step S526 following the determination on the calculated torque capacity≦the torque limit request from the BSC in step S525, the torque limit request from the BSC is set to a smaller one of the torque limit request from the BSC (previous value) and the driver request torque. The flow proceeds to RETURN.

In step S527 following the determination on the calculated torque capacity>the torque limit request from the BSC in step S525, the torque limit request from the BSC is cancelled. The flow ends.

In the following the steps of the flowchart showing the transmission restricting process by limiting the target primary rotary rate in FIG. 11 are described.

In step S541 a target inertia torque is calculated. The flow proceeds to step S542.

In step S542 following the calculation of the target inertia torque in step S541, a target primary rotation change rate is calculated from the target inertia torque. Then, the flow proceeds to step S543.

In step S543 following the calculation of the target primary rotation change rate in step S542, a limited target primary rotary rate not exceeding the target primary rotation change rate is calculated, and the flow proceeds to step S544.

In step S544 following the calculation of the limited target primary rotation change rate in step S543, the transmission control is performed on the basis of the limited target primary rotary rate, and the flow proceeds to step S545.

In step S545 following the transmission control in step S544, a determination is made on whether or not the transmission control based on the limited target primary rotary rate is completed or the actual primary rotary rate has reached the limited target primary rotary rate. At the result being YES (completion of transmission control), the flow ends while at the result being NO (in the middle of transmission control), the flow returns to step S541.

Next, the operation of the control device and method for the belt type continuously variable transmission mechanism 4 according to the first embodiment is described. It will be divided into tour parts, BSC permission and continuation determining operations, BSC permission and continuation determining operations based on |command transmission change rate|<predetermined value, belt slip control operation (BSC operation), and returning control operation from the BSC to the normal control.

[BSC Permission and Continuation Determining Operations]

At a start of the vehicle's running, the operation proceeds to step S2 from step S1 in the flowchart in FIG. 5. Unless all the BSC permission determining conditions are satisfied in step S2, the flow from step S1 to step S2 are repeated to continue the normal control. That is, the satisfaction of all the BSC permission determining conditions in step S2 is defined to be BSC control starting condition.

The BSC permission conditions in the first embodiment are as follows:

(1) The transmitted torque capacity of the belt type continuously variable transmission mechanism 4 is stable (a change rate of the transmitted torque capacity is small).

This condition (1) is determined by satisfaction of the following to conditions, for example. a. |command torque change rate|<predetermined value b. |command gear ratio change rate|<predetermined value (2) The estimated accuracy of the input torque to the primary pulley 42 is within a reliable range. This condition (2) is for example determined on the basis of the torque information (estimated engine torque) from the engine control unit 88, the lockup state of the torque converter 2, the operation state of a brake pedal, a range position and the like. (3) The permitted conditions in the above (1) (2) are continued for a predetermined length of time. In step S2 whether or not the above conditions (1), (2), (3) are all satisfied is determined.

Thus, the belt slip control is allowed to start if the transmission torque capacity of the belt type continuously variable transmission mechanism 4 continues to be stable and the estimated accuracy of the input torque to the primary pulley 42 is continuously within a reliable range for a predetermined length of time during the normal control.

As above, the belt slip control is permitted to start upon the satisfaction of all the BSC permission conditions so that it is able to start the belt slip control in a preferable range with an assured high control precision.

After the BSC permission is determined in step S2, in step S3 the belt slip control is performed to reduce an input to the belt 44 of the belt type continuously variable transmission mechanism 4 and maintain the belt 44 in an appropriate slip state without slippage. Then, in step S4 following the belt slip control in step S3, a determination is made on whether or not all of the BSC continuation conditions are satisfied. As long as all of the BSC continuation conditions are satisfied, the flow from step S3 to step S4 is repeated to continue the belt slip control (BSC).

Here, the BSC continuation conditions are the BSC permission conditions (1), (2) and exclude the continuation condition for a predetermined length of time (3) of the BSC permission conditions. Because of this, it is made possible to prevent continuation of the belt slip control with unsecured control precision since the belt slip control is immediately stopped and returned to the normal control if one of the conditions (1), (2) is unsatisfied during the belt slip control.

[BSC Permission and Continuation Determining Operations Based on |Command Transmission Change Rate|<Predetermined Value]

The belt slip control permission determination according to the first embodiment is configured to permit the belt slip control under the conditions including one that the transmission speed as the change rate of a gear ratio is smaller than the predetermined value.

In other words, while the transmission change rate (range of change in gear ratio per unit time=transmission speed) is small, oscillation components due to oscillation are generated during the transmission as shown in FIG. 12 showing the actual gear ratio characteristic relative to the target gear ratio characteristic. However, at a small transmission change rate the gear ratio variation due to the transmission and the oscillation component due to the oscillation can be separated. That is, the accuracy of the belt slip condition estimated from a monitored phase difference using the oscillation component of the actual gear ratio is high.

Meanwhile, while the transmission change rate is high, the oscillation component included in the actual gear ratio disappears as shown in an area C in FIG. 13 so that the gear ratio variation due to the transmission and the oscillation component due to the oscillation cannot be separated. That is, the accuracy of the belt slip condition estimated from a monitored phase difference using the oscillation component of the actual gear ratio is low.

To the contrary, according to the first embodiment, at |command gear ratio change rate|<predetermined value and at a high estimated accuracy of the belt slip condition, the belt slip control is permitted. This results in reducing belt friction owing to a reduction in the secondary hydraulic pressure and reducing a drive load on the transmission mechanism by the reduction in the secondary hydraulic pressure. As a result, the practical fuel efficiency of the engine 1 can be improved.

Meanwhile, at |command gear ratio change rate|≧predetermined value and at a low estimated accuracy of the belt slip condition, the belt slip control is not permitted. This prevents the belt from greatly slipping during the belt slip control, which occurs when the belt slip control is permitted with no transmission speed condition satisfied. That is, during the belt slip control the clamp force of the belt is reduced due to a reduction in the secondary hydraulic pressure. The belt with a low clamp force may be greatly slipped with an increase in the input torque to the transmission mechanism.

Next, concerning the BSC permission condition that |command gear ratio change rate|<predetermined value, how to decide the predetermined value as an upper limit for determining the magnitude of the command gear ratio change rate is described. In the sine wave oscillation controller 93 in FIG. 4, the belt slip control system is configured to superimpose the sine wave hydraulic pressure on the command secondary hydraulic pressure for the oscillation and estimate a belt slip condition from the oscillation component included in the actual secondary hydraulic pressure and that in the actual gear ratio Ratio. Because of this, it is a necessary condition for realizing the belt slip control that the oscillation component included in the actual secondary hydraulic pressure and that in the actual gear ratio Ratio are extracted to ensure the estimated accuracy of the belt slip condition on the basis of the extracted oscillation component. In other words, the predetermined value is set to a gear ratio change rate which is determined as a limit to allow the extraction of the oscillation component included in the actual secondary hydraulic pressure and that in the actual gear ratio Ratio and the ensuring of the estimated accuracy of the belt slip condition based on the extracted oscillation components, with a gradual increase in the gear ratio change rate of the belt type continuously variable transmission mechanism 4 during the belt slip control.

How to set this predetermined value is described in detail with reference to graph A in FIG. 14 showing the frequency characteristics of the gear ratio component and the oscillation component as well as to graph B in FIG. 14 showing the transmission condition when the transmission range and transmission time constant are changed.

The transmission condition can be approximated to a time lag of first order and represented by a transmission range K and break frequency f (=1/T). With regard to the frequency characteristics in graph A in FIG. 14, assumed that a different transmission range K1<K2 and a different break frequency f1<f2<f3 are given. At the break f1 frequency the transmission condition is {K1/(1+T1 s)} in graph B in FIG. 14, at the break frequency f2, it is {K1/(1+T2 s)} in graph B in FIG. 14, and at the break frequency f3, it is {K1/(1+T3 s)} in graph B in FIG. 14. That is, the break frequency is an index for the transmission speed in a certain transmission range and the larger the break frequency, the faster the transmission speed. Thus, with the transmission range K1 and the break frequency f1<f2<f3 given, there is a margin to the limit frequency D at which the command gear ratio component does not interfere with the oscillation component by the oscillation as shown in FIG. 14. In view of this, the upper limit threshold of the transmission speed when the transmission range is set to a maximum transmission range K2 defined by the system is found to obtain the predetermined value. For example, with the transmission range set to K2 at the break frequency as shown in graph A in FIG. 14, the characteristics of the oscillation component due to the oscillation and {k2/(1+T3 s)} interfere with each other. This signifies that the transmission speed is over the predetermined value. With the transmission range set to K2 at the break frequency f2 as shown in graph A in FIG. 14, the characteristics of the oscillation component due to the oscillation and {k2/(1+T2 s)} do not interfere with each other and coincide at the limit frequency D. That is, the break frequency f2 is the upper limit break frequency which determines the upper limit threshold of the transmission speed and the transmission speed at the upper limit break frequency f2 is the predetermined value. This signifies that there is a margin in the transmission speed to the predetermined value when the break frequency is smaller than the upper limit frequency f2 with the maximum transmission range K2 set.

How to obtain the predetermined value as the upper threshold of the transmission speed in reality is described. The profile of the command gear ratio component has a constant characteristic (flat+constant gradient decrease characteristic), and the limit frequency D not interfering with the gain characteristic of the oscillation component and the maximum transmission range are known. The upper limit frequency t2 is thus unambiguously decided from the known information so that the frequency characteristic of the {k2/(1+T2 s)} can be drawn. The transmission speed is expressed by a rising gradient (=range of gear ratio change per unit time) of the {k2/(1+T2 s)} characteristic shown in graph B in FIG. 14, and this transmission speed is the upper limit threshold (=predetermined value) for permitting the belt slip control.

Accordingly, by allowing the transmission speed (=gear ratio change rate) to be in the limit range in which the oscillation components included in the actual secondary hydraulic pressure and the actual gear ratio Ratio are extracted, it is made possible to extend the range of the transmission speed in which the belt slip control is permitted while the estimated accuracy of the belt slip condition is ensured.

According to the first embodiment, the belt slip control is permitted when the command transmission change rate is lower than the predetermined value. In other words, the permission for the belt slip control is determined not from the actual gear ratio change rate of the belt type continuously variable transmission mechanism 4 but from the target gear ratio decided by calculation. The permissions for starting and continuing the belt slip control are determined at the time when the command gear ratio change rate is calculated from a current gear ratio and the target gear ratio. Accordingly, it is able to determine the permissions for starting and continuing the belt slip control on the basis of estimated information such as the command gear ratio change rate before the gear ratio of the belt type continuously variable transmission mechanism 4 actually changes.

[Belt Slip Control Operation (BSC Operation)]

At start of the belt slip control, the secondary hydraulic pressure is set to a value to acquire the clamp force not to cause belt slippage with estimated safety so that the condition that the phase difference θ is lower than the predetermined value 1 is satisfied. In the flowchart in FIG. 8 the flow from step S331→step S332→step S333→, step S334→step S335 to step S339 is repeated and every time the flow is repeated, the command secondary hydraulic pressure is decreased in response to the correction by −Δpsec. Then, until the phase difference θ at 1 or more reaches the predetermined value at 2, the flow proceeds from step S331→step S332→step S333→step S334→step S336→step S337 to step S339 in FIG. 8 to maintain the command secondary hydraulic pressure. At the phase difference θ being the predetermined value at 2 or more, the flow proceeds from step S331→step S332→step S333→step S334→step S336→step S338 to step S339 to increase the command secondary hydraulic pressure in response to the correction by +Δpsec. Under the belt slip control the slip rate is maintained so that the phase difference θ falls within the range of the predetermined values from 1 or more to less than 2.

The belt slip control is described with reference to the timing chart in FIG. 15. At time t1, the above BSC permission conditions (1), (2) are satisfied and continued (BSC permission condition (3)). From time t2 to time t3, at least one of the above BSC continuation conditions (1), (2) becomes unsatisfied, and the BSC operation flag and SEC pressure F/B inhibiting flag (secondary pressure feedback inhibiting flag) are set for the belt slip control. A little before time t3 the accelerator is pressed, so that at least one of the BSC continuation conditions becomes unsatisfied and the control to return to the normal control is performed from time t3 to time t4. After time t4, the normal control is performed.

Thus, as apparent from the accelerator opening characteristic, vehicle speed characteristic, and engine torque characteristic as well as the solenoid current correction amount characteristic of the secondary hydraulic pressure solenoid 75 during steady running determination indicated by the arrow E in FIG. 15, under the belt slip control the phase difference θ between the oscillation components of the secondary hydraulic pressure due to the oscillation and the gear ratio is monitored to increase or decrease the current value. Note that the secondary hydraulic pressure solenoid 75 is normally open (always open) and decreases the secondary hydraulic pressure along with a rise of the current value.

The actual gear ratio is maintained to be virtually constant by the belt slip control although it fluctuates with small amplitude as shown in the actual gear ratio characteristic (Ratio) in FIG. 15. The phase difference θ, as shown in the phase difference characteristics of the SEC pressure oscillation and Ratio oscillation in FIG. 15, gradually increases with time from time t2 when the slip rate is approximately zero, and reaches a target value (target slip rate). The secondary hydraulic pressure as shown in the SEC hydraulic pressure characteristic in FIG. 15 decreases with time from time t2 when safety is secured, as indicated by the arrow F, and reaches a value of the designed minimum pressure added with hydraulic pressure amplitude in the end which is in the hydraulic pressure level with a margin to the actual minimal pressure. While the belt slip control continues for a long time, the actual secondary hydraulic pressure is maintained in the amplitude range of the designed minimum pressure plus hydraulic pressure to maintain the target value of the phase difference θ (of slip rate).

Thus, a decrease in the secondary hydraulic pressure by the belt slip control results in reducing the belt friction acting on the belt 44 and reducing the drive load on the belt type continuously variable transmission mechanism 4 by the reduction in the belt friction. As a result, it is possible to improve the practical fuel efficiency of the engine 1 without affecting the travelling performance during the belt slip control based on the BSC permission determination.

[Returning Control Operation from BSC to Normal Control]

During the belt slip control while the BSC permission and continuation determinations are continued, the torque limit process in step S32 in FIG. 6 is performed by setting the torque limit request from the belt slip control as the driver request toque in step S321 in FIG. 7. In the following torque limit operation for retuning to the normal control is described with reference to FIG. 10 and FIG. 16.

The engine control unit 88 has a limit torque amount as an upper control limit engine torque, and controls the actual torque of the engine 1 not to exceed the limit torque amount. This limit torque amount is determined according to various requests. For example, the upper limit input torque to the belt type continuously variable transmission mechanism 4 is set to the torque limit request during the normal control (phase (1) in FIG. 16), and the CVT control unit 8 sends the torque limit request during the normal control to the engine control unit 88. The engine control unit 88 selects the minimum one of torque limit requests from various controllers as the limit torque amount.

Specifically, at time t5 the phase (1) of the normal control is shifted into the belt slip control, and the torque limit request from the BSC is sent to the engine control unit 88 in the phase (2) as shown in the limit torque amount characteristic in FIG. 16. However, the torque limit request from the BSC during the BSC (phase (2) in FIG. 16) is for preparation in advance for the torque limiting in FIG. 10 and does not virtually function as a torque limit during the BSC (phase (2) in FIG. 16).

Then, at time t6 the BSC continuation is aborted and shifted into the control to return to the normal control. At time t6 a torque limit request is issued because of the driver request torque>torque limit request from the BSC and the calculated torque capacity≦torque limit request from the BSC. Therefore, the flow from step S521→step S522≦step S524 to RETURN in the flowchart in FIG. 10 is repeated to maintain the torque limit request from the BSC (previous value) in step S524.

Thereafter, at time t7 the driver request torque>torque limit request from the BSC and the calculated torque capacity>torque limit request from the BSC. The flow from step S521→step S522→step S523 to RETURN in FIG. 10 is repeated to gradually increase the torque limit request from the BSC to be (previous value+ΔT). Along with this rising gradient, the actual torque gradually rises.

Due to the rise of the torque limit request from the BSC since time t7, at time t8 the driver request torque≦torque limit request from the BSC and the calculated torque capacity>torque limit request from the BSC. The flow proceeds from step S521→step S525→step S527 to END in the flowchart in FIG. 10. In step S527 the torque limit from the BSC is cancelled.

In this example the flow skips step S526 which is executed when the accelerator is manipulated as stepped on or returned (released) for a short period of time. Specifically, step S526 is skipped when the belt slip control is cancelled by stepping-on of the accelerator and the accelerator is released as soon as the returning control starts.

Owing to the torque limit control for limiting the changing speed of the input torque to the belt type continuously variable transmission mechanism 4 in returning from the belt slip control to the normal control, it is possible to prevent the input torque to the belt type continuously variable transmission mechanism 4 from becoming excessively large relative to the belt clamp force and prevent the belt 44 from slipping.

Further, in the control to return to the normal control from the belt slip control, if the gear ratio of the belt type continuously variable transmission mechanism 4 is changed at a general transmission speed while the changing speed of the input torque is reduced under the above torque limit control, a decrease in the input torque due to a change in the rotary inertia occurs conspicuously. This may cause a driver to feel unnecessary deceleration (pull shock). In view of this, the changing speed of the gear ratio is limited along with the limitation to the changing speed of the input torque to the belt type continuously variable transmission mechanism 4.

That is, upon the termination of the BSC continuation and shift to the control to return to the normal control, the flow from step S541→step S542→step S543→step S544 to step S545 in the flowchart in FIG. 11 is repeated until completion of the transmission, to control the transmission on the basis of the limited target primary rotary rate.

Thus, limiting the change rate of the primary rotation makes it possible to reduce a change in the rotary inertia and prevent a reduction in the input torque to the transmission mechanism. As a result, it is possible to prevent a driver from feeling unnecessary deceleration (pull shock).

Next, the effects of the control device and method for the belt type continuously variable transmission mechanism 4 according to the first embodiment are described in the following.

(1) The control device for the belt type continuously variable transmission 4, including the primary pulley 42 for receiving an input from a drive source (engine 1), the secondary pulley 43 for providing an output to the drive wheels 6, 6, and the belt 44 wrapped around the primary pulley 42 and the secondary pulley 43, to control a gear ratio determined by a running radius ratio of the belt 44 on the pulleys by controlling a primary hydraulic pressure to the primary pulley 42 and a secondary hydraulic pressure to the secondary pulley 43, the control device further comprises a belt slip control means (step S3) configured to oscillate the secondary hydraulic pressure and monitor a phase difference between an oscillation component included in an actual secondary hydraulic pressure and an oscillation component included in an actual gear ratio to estimate a belt slip condition, and control the actual secondary hydraulic pressure to decrease on the basis of the estimation in order to maintain a predetermined belt slip condition, and a belt slip control permission determining means (step S2) configured to permit the belt slip control means to perform the belt slip control when a change speed of the gear ratio is less than a predetermined value. Thus, it is able to provide the control device for the belt type continuously variable transmission mechanism 4 which can reduce drive energy consumption by a decrease in belt friction when an estimated accuracy of the belt slip condition is high and can prevent the belt 44 from greatly slipping during the belt slip control when the estimated accuracy of belt slip condition is low. (2) The belt slip control permission determining means (step S2) determines, on the basis of a gain characteristic of a gear ratio component relative to a frequency and a gain characteristic of an oscillation component, an upper limit frequency which does not interfere with the gain characteristic of the oscillation component in a maximum range of the gear ratio, calculates the change speed of the gear ratio from the determined upper limit frequency and the maximum range of the gear ratio, and sets the predetermined value of the change speed of the gear ratio to the calculated change speed of the gear ratio (graphs A, B in FIG. 14). Thus, it is possible to increase the frequency and control continuation time for the belt slip control during travelling by maximally extending the range of permission conditions for the belt slip control relative to the change speed of the gear ratio with an assured estimated accuracy of the belt slip control. (3) The belt slip control permission determining means (step S2) is configured to permit the belt slip control means (step S3) to perform the belt slip control when a command transmission change rate is less than a predetermined value. Thus, it is able to determine the permission for starting the belt slip control on the basis of estimated information such as the command gear ratio change rate before the gear ratio of the belt type continuously variable transmission mechanism 4 actually changes. (4) A control method for a belt type continuously variable transmission 4 by a belt slip control in which a belt slip condition among the primary pulley 42, secondary pulley 43, and belt 44 is controlled with a hydraulic pressure, the method comprises the steps of oscillating the hydraulic pressure to control the hydraulic pressure on the basis of an integrated value of an oscillation component included in an actual hydraulic pressure and an oscillation component of an actual gear ratio, and permitting the belt slip control when a change speed of the gear ratio is less than a predetermined value. Thus, it is able to provide the control method for the belt type continuously variable transmission mechanism 4 which can reduce drive energy consumption by a decrease in belt friction when an estimated accuracy of the belt slip condition is high and can prevent the belt 44 from greatly slipping during the belt slip control when the estimated accuracy of belt slip condition is low. (5) In the belt slip control, the belt slip condition is estimated by monitoring a phase difference calculated from the integrated value, to control the hydraulic pressure on the basis of the estimation to maintain a predetermined belt slip condition. Thus, it is possible to stably maintain a predetermined belt slip condition during the belt slip control by accurately acquiring a change in the belt slip condition by monitoring the phase difference correlated with the belt slip condition. As a result, under the belt slip control by which the belt friction is stably reduced, it is possible to realize a targeted reduction in drive energy consumption.

Although the control device and method for the belt type continuously variable transmission according to the present invention have been described in terms of the exemplary first embodiment, they are not limited thereto. It should be appreciated that design variations or additions may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined by the following claims.

The first embodiment has described an example where a hydraulic pressure circuit of a single side adjusting type controlled by a step motor is used for the transmission hydraulic pressure control unit 7. However, another single side adjusting type or both sides adjusting type transmission hydraulic pressure control unit can be also used.

The first embodiment has described an example where only the secondary hydraulic pressure is oscillated. However, for example, the primary hydraulic pressure together with the secondary hydraulic pressure can be concurrently oscillated at the same phase by a direct acting control system. Alternatively, the primary hydraulic pressure together with the secondary hydraulic pressure can be oscillated at the same phase by oscillating the line pressure.

The first embodiment has described an example of an oscillation means where the command secondary hydraulic pressure is given proper oscillation components. Alternatively, solenoid current values can be given proper oscillation components.

The first embodiment has described an application example of an engine vehicle incorporating a belt type continuously variable transmission. The present invention is also applicable to a hybrid vehicle incorporating a belt type continuously variable transmission, an electric vehicle incorporating a belt type continuously variable transmission and the like. In short it is applicable to any vehicle incorporating a belt type continuously variable transmission which performs a hydraulic pressure transmission control.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

-   1 engine -   2 torque converter -   3 forward/backward drive switch mechanism -   4 belt type continuously variable transmission mechanism -   40 transmission input shaft -   41 transmission output shaft -   42 primary pulley -   43 secondary pulley -   44 belt -   45 primary hydraulic pressure chamber -   46 secondary hydraulic pressure chamber -   5 final reduction mechanism -   6,6 drive wheel -   7 transmission hydraulic pressure control unit -   70 oil pump -   71 regulator valve -   72 line pressure solenoid -   73 transmission control valve -   74 decompression valve -   75 secondary hydraulic pressure solenoid -   76 servo link -   77 transmission command valve -   78 step motor -   8 CVT control unit -   80 primary rotation sensor -   81 secondary rotation sensor -   82 secondary hydraulic pressure sensor -   83 oil temperature sensor -   84 inhibitor switch -   85 brake switch -   86 accelerator opening sensor -   87 other sensors and switches -   88 engine control unit 

1.-5. (canceled)
 6. A control device for a belt type continuously variable transmission, comprising a primary pulley for receiving an input from a drive source, a secondary pulley for providing an output to a drive wheel, and a belt wrapped around the primary pulley and the secondary pulley, to control a gear ratio determined by a running radius ratio of the belt on the pulleys by controlling a primary hydraulic pressure to the primary pulley and a secondary hydraulic pressure to the secondary pulley, the device further comprising: a belt slip control means configured to oscillate the secondary hydraulic pressure and monitor a phase difference between an oscillation component included in an actual secondary hydraulic pressure and an oscillation component included in an actual gear ratio to estimate a belt slip condition, and control the actual secondary hydraulic pressure to decrease on the basis of the estimation to maintain a predetermined belt slip condition; and a belt slip control permission determining means configured to permit the belt slip control means to perform a belt slip control when a change speed of the gear ratio of the belt type continuously variable transmission is less than a predetermined value at which the oscillation component due to the oscillation included in an actual gear ratio and a variation in the actual gear ratio can be separated.
 7. A control device for a belt type continuously variable transmission according to claim 6, wherein the belt slip control permission determining means is configured to set the predetermine value of the change speed of the gear ratio to be in a limit range in which the oscillation components included in the actual secondary hydraulic pressure and the actual gear ratio can be extracted and an estimated accuracy of the belt slip condition based on the extracted oscillation components can be ensured.
 8. A control device for a belt type continuously variable transmission according to claim 6, wherein the belt slip control permission determining means is configured to determine, on the basis of a gain characteristic of a gear ratio component relative to a frequency and a gain characteristic of an oscillation component, an upper limit frequency which does not interfere with the gain characteristic of the oscillation component in a maximum range of the gear ratio, calculate the change speed of the gear ratio from the determined upper limit frequency and the maximum range of the gear ratio, and set the predetermined value of the change speed of the gear ratio to the calculated change speed of the gear ratio.
 9. A control device for a belt type continuously variable transmission according to claim 6, wherein the belt slip control permission determining means is configured to permit the belt slip control means to perform the belt slip control when a command transmission change rate is less than a predetermined value.
 10. A control method for a belt type continuously variable transmission by a belt slip control in which a belt slip condition among a primary pulley, a secondary pulley, and a belt is controlled with a hydraulic pressure, the method comprising the steps of: in the belt slip control, oscillating the hydraulic pressure to control the hydraulic pressure on the basis of a multiplied value of an oscillation component included in an actual hydraulic pressure and an oscillation component included in an actual gear ratio; and permitting the belt slip control when a change speed of the gear ratio of the belt type continuously variable transmission is less than a predetermined value at which the oscillation component due to the oscillation included in the actual gear ratio can be separated from a variation in the actual gear ratio.
 11. A control method for a belt type continuously variable transmission according to claim 10, further comprising the step of in the belt slip control, estimating a belt slip condition by monitoring a phase difference calculated from the multiplied value and controlling the hydraulic pressure on the basis of the estimation to maintain a predetermined belt slip condition.
 12. A control method for a belt type continuously variable transmission by a belt slip control in which a belt slip condition among a primary pulley, a secondary pulley, and a belt is controlled with a hydraulic pressure, the method comprising the steps of: in the belt slip control, oscillating the hydraulic pressure to control the hydraulic pressure on the basis of a phase difference between an oscillation component included in an actual hydraulic pressure and an oscillation component included in an actual gear ratio; and permitting the belt slip control when a change speed of the gear ratio of the belt type continuously variable transmission is less than a predetermined value at which the oscillation component due to the oscillation can be extracted from a variation in the actual gear ratio can be separated.
 13. A control method for a belt type continuously variable transmission according to claim 12, wherein the predetermined value of the change speed of the gear ratio is set to be in a limit range in which the oscillation component included in the actual secondary hydraulic pressure and the oscillation component included in the actual gear ratio can be extracted.
 14. A control device for a belt type continuously variable transmission according to claim 7, wherein the belt slip control permission determining means is configured to permit the belt slip control means to perform the belt slip control when a command transmission change rate is less than a predetermined value.
 15. A control device for a belt type continuously variable transmission according to claim 8, wherein the belt slip control permission determining means is configured to permit the belt slip control means to perform the belt slip control when a command transmission change rate is less than a predetermined value. 